Fine of $5,400 for worker’s death criticized
- Oregon OSHA imposed a $5,400 fine for Munitor Construction after worker Chacon Geminiano was killed on the job.
- The company also had past violations, which could have increased the penalty.
- There are now questions as to whether the state is doing enough to disincentivize employers from skirting safety standards.
- The U.S. Department of Labor has reported that Oregon OSHA’s fines are significantly below the national average.
‘Woke’ abortion policies insult women?
- Major U.S. companies, such as Amazon, Disney, Bank of America and Kroger, will pay for women to travel to get abortions.
- Some of these firms will pay up to $4,000 for the procedure.
- Laurie Todd-Smith, former director of the Women’s Bureau at the U.S. Department of Labor, contends these policies are “soft bigotry” because they say women can’t be successful if they have children.
- Todd-Smith argues there’s no need for a double standard.
State wins appeal in Amish farm death
- An organic dairy farm in Michigan is battling state safety regulators after a 19-year-old family member was fatally electrocuted while removing a metal pole from a grain bin five years ago.
- At the center of the dispute is the state’s scrutiny of small farms, the traditions of an Amish family and whether Alvin Yoder should be considered an employee when he was killed.
- MIOSHA issued four violations and proposed a $16,100 fine against Yoder Family Farm in 2017 and .the farm later had momentum for dismissing the case.
- However, regulators pursued action and the court said the Board of Health and Safety Compliance and Appeals should further scrutinize the case.
Chemical release kills Ohio man
- A 27-year-old man that was critically injured in a chemical release at a Stark County, Ohio, facility has died, federal safety officials said.
- Ray Sullivan, 27, of Waynesburg, was one of five people affected by a release of hydrogen sulfide at the US Ecology facility along Central Avenue Southeast in the township.
- Five people were taken to the hospital after being exposed to hydrogen sulfide and four of whom were expected to be treated and released.
- Hydrogen sulfide can irritate the respiratory system and cause apnea, coma, and convulsions, among other symptoms.